Coin-actuated book-receptacle.



No. 633,308 Patented Sept. l9, I899. c. w. CRAVEN.

COIN AOTUATED BOOK BEOEPTAGLE.

(Application filed June 24, 1899.) (No Model.)

PATENT FFICEQ CHARLES WESLEY CRAVEN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

COIN-ACTUATED BOOK-R ECEPTACLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 633,308, dated September 19, 1899.

Application filed June 24, 1899.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be itknown that I, CHARLES WESLEY CRA- WIN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coin-Actuated Book-Receptacles, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a convenient box or receptacle for the reception of a book of reference, such as a directory, and capable of being opened by means of a coin-actuated device when reference to the book is desired.

The details of such invention and the method in which it is operated are described and illustrated in the annexed specification and accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a view of the box when opened. Fig. 2 is a view of the box closed, but with the falling flap in front open to show the coinactuated mechanism.

In the above figures, A is the box or receptacle for reception of the book to be consulted.

B is the book.

a is the lid of the box A.

b b are spring-hinges automatically closing the lid a when such lid is released; 0, a falling flap hinged to the bottom of the front of the box A, giving access to the coin-actuated mechanism and to the coins deposited in the box and also securing the rod 6, hereinafter described, against removal without unlocking the flap, d, a lock securing c.

e is a rod passing through the back of the book B into a recess in the back of the box,

secured against removal by the closing and locking of the flap 0, such flap being in con tact with the head of the rod e when closed.

f is a block affixed to the lid a and carrying a catch g and a spring-detent h.

70 is a longitudinal partition in the box A,

carrying the coin-actuated mechanism; j, a metal plate affixed to the upper surface of the partition 7:; and provided with a coin-aperture Z, communicating with a coin-aperture m in the lid of the box.

$erial No. 721,686. (No model.)

ing the detent s, engaging with the catch 9, and the ratchet t, engaging with the springdetent h.

u is a spring-actuated plunger provided with a slot 1; for reception of a coin when dropped through the coin-apertures land m.

o is a slot formed at the end of the plunger 10 for reception of the coin.

w is a bracket placed underneath the plunger u for the purpose of supporting such plunger and also forming a base for supporting the coin dropped into the slot or aperture 1) until such coin is released by the operation of the plunger u.

The mode in which my invention is operated is as follows: A book of reference-as, for instance, a directory, telegraph-code, or other book of referenceis placed open in the box A and is secured against removal by the retaining-rod e passing through the back of the book. This rod is secured against removal by one end engaging with a recess in the back side of the box and the other end of the rod being secured by contact with the falling flap c, which when closed and locked effectually prevents the removal of the rod 6. The lid of the box is closed and secured from opening by the action of the catch g engaging with the movable detent s. WVhen it is desired to consult the book or work of reference placed in the box A, a coin is dropped into the slot min the lid of the box and is retained in the slot 1 being supported in such slot by the bracket w. The spring-actuated plunger u is then pressed, and by the lateral action of such plunger the upper edge of the coin is pressed against the sliding plate 1*, thereby releasing the detent s from contact with the catch 9 and causing the spring-actuated ratchet t to engage with the spring-detent h. On such release being effected the lid a is raised by the person desiring to consult the book and is held open as long as the book is being used. When the use of the book is ended and the hold upon it released, the box is closed automatically by the action of the spring-hinges and locked by the action of the spring-actuated sliding plate a and is ready for use again when opened by deposit of another coin,

When desired, a locked box or other suitable coin-receptacle can be placed underneath the coin-actuated mechanism and in aline with the coin-apertures for the reception of the coins dropped into the box and for facilitating their removal.

Having thus described the nature of my invention and the mode in which it is operated, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination of a box for containing a book, a coin-actuated device for opening such box, removable means for securing the book in such box consisting of a rod passed through the cover of t-hebook and engaging with the back of the box and secured by the flap of the box being closed against the end of the rod and locked, and means for automatically closing and locking the lid of the box when not in use substantially as described and for the purposes specified.

2. The combination ofthe boXAforcontainingahook havinga lid (1. provided with springhinges b for automatically closing such lid, means for securing the book against removal consisting of the rod 6 secured by the locked flap 0 closing against the end of such rod, the coin-actuated opening mechanism consisting of the platej provided with the coinaperture l communicating with the coin-aperture m in the lid a, the spring-actuated plunger it provided with slot 0, the catch g, the detent h, spring-actuated sliding plate 7', and the ratchet-detent If, all substantially as described and for the purposes specified.

3. The combination of a box for containing a book provided with the spring-actuated lid a the partition 70, the platej, the falling flap c, the lock d, and the removable rod secured by the fla'p c, with the coin-actuating mechanism for opening the box consisting of the spring-plunger to, the plate j provided with the coin-aperture Z communicating with the coin-aperture m in the lid 0,, the slot 0, the bracket to, for reception and retention of the coin when dropped through the apertures l and m, the catch g, the spring-detent h, the spring-actuated sliding plate 1', and ratchetdetent if, all substantially as described and for the purposes specified.

Signed at the city of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 23d day of June, A. D. 1899.

CHARLES \VESLEY CRAVEN. 

